Darts professional Josh Rock has pointed to an unusual culprit for his recent struggles on the oche, attributing a heavy Premier League defeat in Antwerp to a pre-match visit to the toilet. The Northern Irishman suffered a 6-2 quarter-final loss to Michael van Gerwen during the second night of the weekly roadshow, and he has since disclosed that an issue with his grip was to blame.
Soap Sabotage in the Backstage Bathroom
Rock explained that the soap in the backstage toilets at the Antwerp venue adversely affected his ability to hold his darts properly. "I went to the toilet just before I went on stage and obviously you wash your hands after going to the toilet, so I put the soap all over my hands and the next minute I’m up there, and I was like, ‘This isn’t going to go well’," Rock stated. He described how the soap stripped the natural oils from his fingers, resulting in a complete loss of grip during the match against van Gerwen.
A New Tactical Plan with Chalk and Wax
In response to this unexpected setback, Rock has devised a contingency plan to prevent future episodes. He now carries chalk and wax in his darts case as a precautionary measure. "So now we’ve got a plan B, I’ve got a bit of chalk and wax in the case from now on," he confirmed. Rock noted that he did not need to use these items during the subsequent Players Championship event, where conditions were fine, reinforcing his belief that the Antwerp soap was the specific cause.
This incident marked the first time such a problem has occurred for Rock, and he has been able to laugh it off, maintaining a positive mindset. "I actually laughed at it straight away, because I knew what the problem was," he said. "If I played like that and didn’t know what the problem was then, obviously we have an issue. But I knew I couldn’t grip my hands and no matter how much I was trying to lick my fingers, rub my finger up and down a barrel to get my fingers rough, it wasn’t working, so I just let that one go."
Looking Ahead to Glasgow with Rangers Support
Rock is now focused on bouncing back as he aims to secure his first points of the Premier League season in Glasgow on Thursday. As a staunch Rangers fan, he hopes to benefit from a supportive crowd, especially with Celtic engaged in Europa League action. "Luckily, Celtic are playing in the Europa League tomorrow, so hopefully they’re all out and there’s only Rangers fans in," he added. Rock emphasised his connection to Scotland, noting it is just a short journey away, and expressed his determination to perform well. "It’s on the day. If I turn up, I win. If I don’t turn up, I don’t win," he remarked.
Quarter-Final Lineups for the Upcoming Matches
In other quarter-final fixtures for the Premier League event, Luke Littler will face Michael van Gerwen, Jonny Clayton is set to compete against Gian van Veen, and Gerwyn Price will play Stephen Bunting. These matchups promise to deliver high-stakes darts action as the competition intensifies.
